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Spider Lily Hymenocallis occidentalis

Previously known as:

  • Hymenocallis bidentata
  • Hymenocallis caroliniana
  • Hymenocallis moldenikiana
  • Pancratium carolinianum
Phonetic Spelling
hy-men-oh-KAL-is ock-sih-den-TAH-liss
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Native to the southeastern US, this spider lily is a herbaceous perennial that is grown from a bulb. It is the most cold hardy plant of the spider lilies.  The name is derived from the Greek words hymen (membrane) and kallos that translates to beauty.  These words allude to the membrane uniting the stamens.  

Resembling a daffodil with long, thin filaments, these showy, fragrant flowers sit at the top of the stems.  They can be found growing in moist fields, swamps and bottomlands.  

Each bulb can multiply to form a dense clump.

A low maintenance plant, removing the foliage after it turns yellow will aid in the appearance of the garden.  

It is sometimes used as a houseplant or interiorscape, but in its natural habitat it can be found in forest or natural area in marshes, shallow streams, and ditches. This plant was once found wild in NC but is now found only in the lower Mississippi Basin.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues, however mealy bugs, snails and caterpillars can damage the plant.  It can be poisonous to many animals.  

More information on Hymenocallis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
var. occidentalis
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#deciduous#poisonous#water garden#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#houseplant#wetlands#summer flowers#swamps#humidity tolerant#wet soils tolerant#wetland margins#dry soils intolerant#poisonous if ingested#perennial#boggy sites#long lived
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
var. occidentalis
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#deciduous#poisonous#water garden#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#houseplant#wetlands#summer flowers#swamps#humidity tolerant#wet soils tolerant#wetland margins#dry soils intolerant#poisonous if ingested#perennial#boggy sites#long lived
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hymenocallis
    Species:
    occidentalis
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern US native
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX
    Wildlife Value:
    Poisonous to many animals.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Easy to Grow
    Fragrance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Water Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a leathery capsule, each containing 1 to 3 fleshy seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flowers each have a central cup and 6 long, slender tepals. The 6 in. flowers have a white crown of thin tissue that connects the bases of the anthers and are borne in clusters of 5 to 10 at the top of the stalks.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The basal strap-like leaves that can be up to 2' long die back in mid-summer. They can reach a length of up to 17" long, growing directly from the bulb.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The stems are erect and unbranched.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Houseplants
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Lycorine and other phenanthridine alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Roots
    Stems